Casino Proposal Near Lake of Ozarks Sparks Lawsuit

The Osage River Gaming & Convention Committee has filed a lawsuit to place a casino proposal on the November 5, 2024, ballot at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, claiming they have sufficient valid signatures despite state officials asserting they fell short. The Missouri Secretary of State's office indicated a deficit of 2,031 signatures in the 2nd Congressional District, while the ORGC claims to have identified over 2,500 valid signatures that were rejected. The proposed amendment aims to allow a casino on the Osage River, which would amend the state's constitution that currently restricts casinos to the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Financial backing for the initiative comes from Bally's and local developer Gary Prewitt, who have contributed $4.1 million to the campaign. If approved, the casino is expected to create numerous jobs and direct tax revenue towards early-childhood literacy programs. The initiative follows a competing proposal from the Osage Nation for a tribal casino in the same area.